Engineered Air v. LeCesse Bros. Contracting, Inc.
This is a concurring opinion regarding a class action lawsuit filed under Article 3-A of the Lien Law. The plaintiff, a material supplier to subcontractor G.A. Dyce, Inc., sued LeCesse Brothers Contracting, Inc., the contractor, to share funds owed to Dyce. The core issue concerned LeCesse’s affirmative defense, which sought to offset legal expenses incurred in defending the action against funds owed to Dyce, based on a subcontract provision. The concurring judge agrees with the majority's decision that the Supreme Court erred in denying the plaintiff's motion to dismiss this affirmative defense. The opinion clarifies that the plaintiff is subrogated to Dyce's rights, and LeCesse should not be allowed to deduct legal fees. It also emphasizes the distinct trust obligations under the Lien Law, clarifying that a contractor is not a guarantor for a subcontractor's creditors.